Effects of inbreeding on infant mortality in captive primates

Rails, Katherine; Ballou, Jonathan D.

doi:10.1007/bf02693747

Cited by 132 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…nondeleterious) levels of inbreeding; it has not been shown that acceptable levels of inbreeding can determine future dispersal patterns. The discovery of inbreeding depression in zoo animals (Rails et al 1979(Rails et al , 1980Rails & Ballou 1982) is of profound importance for zoo management and conservation policy (Senner 1980;SouI~ 1980), but it tells us about a species' natural breeding system relative to a restricted environment, not how that system evolved. The evolutionary importance of inbreeding depression must be assessed with regard to the natural history of the species and the costs of outbreeding.…”

Section: Dispersal Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

Are dispersal and inbreeding avoidance related?

1984

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Abstract. Sex differences in dispersal and inter-group transfer by birds and mammals are often considered to be evolved responses to the phenomenon of inbreeding depression. This belief is derived from 'natural selection logic', which holds that (1) because inbreeding depression is demonstrably costly, selection must have acted to minimize its occurrence, and (2) as sex differences in dispersal often appear to be the only thing preventing inbreeding, these sex differences must be the expected adaptations for avoiding inbreeding depression. However, although the sex differences in median dispersal distance observed among many small mammals and birds may reduce average levels of inbreeding within a population, they nevertheless leave the majority of individuals 'at risk' for inbreeding; such differences can be responses to inbreeding depression only in a group selection model. Furthermore, natal dispersal by both sexes occurs in many group-living species. In these species, emigration by individuals of one sex cannot easily be attributed to avoiding inbreeding because opposite-sex relatives also emigrate. Though most authors acknowledge that sexual dispersal patterns may be epiphenomenal consequences of other factors (e.g. intrasexual aggression), this point is rarely considered further. In this paper we critically review several frequently cited examples of differential dispersal, and conclude that 'other factors', such as intrasexual competition and territory choice, explain these observations more completely and consistently than does the inbreeding avoidance hypothesis. Observed dispersal patterns simply reflect sex differences in the balance between the advantages of philopatry and the costs of intrasexual competition.

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Section: Dispersal Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

Are dispersal and inbreeding avoidance related?

1984

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“…Studies across taxa ranging from angiosperms to birds and mammals have illustrated a range of potential costs that can arise when close kin produce offspring (Charlesworth and Charlesworth 1987;Pusey and Wolf 1996;Crnokrak and Roff 1999;Keller and Waller 2002). For example, a review of breeding records in captive primate colonies found higher infant mortality of inbred offspring in 15 of the 16 colonies investigated (Ralls and Ballou 1982). Studies of wild mammal populations also often show higher costs (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inbreeding risk, avoidance and costs in a group-living primate, Cebus capucinus

Godoy

Vigilant

Perry

2016

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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Documenting inbreeding and its potential costs in wild populations is a complicated matter. Early infant death before genetic samples can be collected limits the ability of researchers to measure fitness costs, and pedigree information is necessary to accurately estimate relatedness between breeding individuals. Using data from 25 years of research from the Lomas Barbudal Capuchin Monkey Project, and a sample of 109 females that have given birth, we find that despite frequent co-residency of adult opposite-sexed individuals, capuchins produce offspring with close kin (i.e. related at the half sibling level or higher) less often than would be expected in the absence of inbreeding avoidance. We do not find support for alternative, non-behavioral explanations for this pattern and thus argue for mate choice. Furthermore, we find evidence for fitness costs among inbred animals in the form of delayed female age at first birth, but not significantly higher juvenile mortality. Further research is necessary in order to determine the mechanisms by which individuals develop sexual aversion to close kin. Significance Statement: Through a combination of demographic records, maternal pedigrees, and genetically determined paternity, this study provides a detailed study of inbreeding and inbreeding avoidance in a well-studied mammal population. This study provides (1) evidence that capuchin monkeys avoid mating with close kin at both the level of daughter-father and half sibling, and (2) evidence of fitness costs to inbreeding in the form of delayed first age at reproduction.

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“…Inbreeding, which results from the mating between related individuals, cannot be avoided in small populations kept for several generations. The genetic effects of inbreeding in mammals include loss of vigor, decreased neonatal and infant survival, decreased fertility, and, if severe enough, extinction of a population (Soule, 1980;Ralls and Ballou, 1982). Based on the amount of inbreeding tolerated by domestic animals, Franklin (1980) suggested that a genetically effective population size of 50 is needed to avoid the short-term effects of inbreeding.…”

Section: Preservation Of Endangered Primatesmentioning

confidence: 99%